Our nation is in trouble—financially, at least. The national debt is about to tip $20 trillion, which reminds me of the financial investment expert I interviewed years ago. The point he made in our discussion was that we pay too much attention to our nation’s deficits without considering the assets that are worth far more.…
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Since anti-immigrant fervor has risen at various times in America’s past, I can’t say that the current groundswell is any worse or different than before. Yet, in the wake of the Islamic radical attacks that have claimed dozens of lives in places like Orlando, Boston and San Bernardino, California, it’s easy to understand. The only…
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President Donald Trump recently made headlines when he announced his intentions to repeal the so-called Johnson Amendment. The rule got its name from former President Lyndon B. Johnson. In the mid-1950s, then-Sen. Johnson successfully proposed a rule prohibiting churches and non-profits from endorsing political candidates if they wanted to retain tax-exempt status with the Internal…
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In just over a week, the nation will observe the most hypocritical holiday of the year. That’s when atheists, humanists and agnostics will start their three-day spring weekend by enjoying Good Friday, even though it draws its name from the Person they claim doesn’t exist. Easter weekend will bring out a separate group, often dubbed…
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It’s been more than 35 years since we toured the Hearst Castle. Still, our visit to William Randolph Heart’s estate instantly came to mind when I saw a story recently about a modern-day imitator. This four-level, 38,000-square-foot mansion is listed at a cool $250 million, making it the most expensive home in the United States.…
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Whether the rash of post-Christmas violence at shopping malls nationwide, increasing incidents of air rage, or other acts of irrational behavior, our society appears to have become unhinged. While I’m sure the causes and effects will be debated for years to come, I think the loss of simple words like “sin” and “blame” are behind…
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Eighteenth-century English poet Alexander Pope penned the phrase, “ To err is human, ” a truism that has occupied center stage internationally in recent weeks. First came the infamous mistake at the Academy Awards, when actor Faye Dunaway—partnered with Warren Beatty—announced that La La Land had won Best Picture. Moments later, the movie’s producer, Jordan Horowitz announced, “I’m…
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While those who favored Al Gore in 2000 are probably still mad at activist Ralph Nader for siphoning off enough votes to cost Gore the election, my memory of Nader goes deeper. In an article that year, he wrote about returning to Harvard University for a 20-year reunion of his law school class. Nader mentioned…
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After seeing a couple positive reviews last summer of Hillbilly Elegy, I made plans to read it. As so often happens when it comes to getting to sit down with a book, it takes a while to follow through with good intentions. I’m married to a woman from West Virginia. After twice leaving for other…
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Today, Friday, Feb. 17 marks the 38th anniversary of my wedding to a woman 13 years my senior. I’ve often said I would be a rich man if I had a dollar for everyone who said it would never last. For one, there was the age difference. Today, no one thinks a thing about an…
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